‘His arm needs amputation and it must be done now,’ he said. ‘Does anyone know the art? You must have seen it done in battle.’
They mumbled negatively. Eadulf gritted his teeth and stated: ‘Then I must attempt it.’
Fidelma had left Brother Conchobhar at the stables and made her way to the Laochtech where she founded Enda and Luan relaxing. They rose uncertainly as she entered.
‘I have come to see our prisoner,’ she announced.
‘I shan’t be sorry when we can release that one,’ Enda said, reaching for the keys.
‘Why? Is Deogaire giving you trouble?’
‘You might call it that,’ Enda sighed. ‘He’s been constantly calling out, asking if Beccan has returned. When I said he had, he kept demanding that Beccan be brought here so he could confront him with the truth.’
‘I presume that you did not comply with that request?’ Fidelma asked anxiously.
Enda looked offended. ‘Of course not, lady. Gormán left strict instructions and these could only be contradicted by you. I even ignored the demands of Brehon Aillín.’
‘Brehon Aillín? she exclaimed. ‘Has he tried to interfere?’
‘He came and asked to see the prisoner. When I told him my orders, he was quite upset. He pointed out that he was Chief Brehon but I said that the orders of my commander could only be countermanded by the King or someone delegated by him. If the King summoned me to do so, I would let him see Deogaire.’
‘That’s interesting,’ Fidelma said thoughtfully, almost to herself. ‘When was Brehon Aillín here?’
‘Some time after you and Brother Conchobhar left the palace.’
‘And he went away when you refused him?’
‘He did so, lady. But not in the best of moods.’
‘Very well. Unlock the door and then wait outside while I have a word with Deogaire.’
‘Is that wise, lady?’
‘I deem it so.’
Enda unlocked the door and opened it, allowing Fidelma to pass into the small room beyond before closing it. Deogaire leaped up from the cot on which he had been sitting when she entered.
‘Has Beccan returned?’ he demanded excitedly. ‘Has he told the truth?’
‘He has returned.’
‘Then I am free?’
‘Sit down, Deogaire.’ She pointed to the cot. Without waiting for him to obey, she sank onto the only stool in the room, then said: ‘Why do you think Brehon Aillín wanted to see you this afternoon?’
‘Did he? Was that what the fuss was about?’ Deogaire sat down. ‘I heard some shouting earlier. Look, lady, I am not privy to the old man’s thoughts,’ he went on. ‘If you didn’t send him, maybe he wanted to question me himself. You must ask him.’
‘Perhaps.’
‘If Beccan is back, then why am I not released?’ he then demanded.
Fidelma looked at him levelly. ‘Because your truth is different from his truth. His account and your account do not entirely tally.’
Deogaire blinked for a moment. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘There is no question that your relative, Brother Conchobhar, and you had a row and that you left his house. But you said that Beccan suggested to you that you could stay in the guest quarters. However, Beccan says that you sought him out and suggested it to him! He says that you offered to pay with herbal remedies taken from Brother Conchobhar’s store, after Beccan had mentioned his sick friend.’
Deogaire stared at her in incomprehension.
‘Don’t you see?’ went on Fidelma patiently. ‘If you told Beccan that you would give him these medicines in return for a room in the guest quarters, then it places a different complexion on matters. It would imply that you wanted to stay in the guest quarters for a specific purpose.’
‘I just needed a bed for the night! I could have gone to the stables, curled up in the chapel, or even gone down into the town where there is an inn. I did not want to start out for Sliabh Luachra in the dark.’
‘But you didn’t stay in any of those places. You stayed in the guest quarters that night. While you were there, there was an attempt on the lives of Eadulf and myself.’ She paused. ‘Now do you see the question of logic that arises as to how you came there? Am I to believe you or Beccan, my brother’s steward?’
Deogaire was shaking his head. ‘Question of logic or not, I tell you it was no doing of mine. Beccan suggested the solution to me and not I to him.’
‘And what logical purpose would it serve Beccan?’
Deogaire raised his hands in the air in a gesture of helpless mystification.
‘I have no understanding of it,’ he said. ‘All I know is that I have spoken the truth.’
Fidelma sighed. ‘Then you can only wait until I have investigated further. I need to have another word with Beccan. But here you are and here you must remain until things become clearer.’
‘And if they don’t?’ snapped Deogaire. ‘Am I to be a victim of Beccan’s lies?’
‘Every tide has its ebb, Deogaire,’ Fidelma assured him as she rose. ‘Isn’t that in your philosophy?’
The young man scowled but made no reply. Fidelma felt instinctively sorry for Deogaire. She leaned forward and touched his shoulder.
‘You once taught a young girl that even a barren wood will renew its foliage. In her case, it came true. Take note of your own advice.’
He glanced up, his brows drawn together, trying to read a meaning behind her words.
‘At least you have one friend in the vicinity,’ Fidelma amplified. ‘One who believes that you could never do what is now suspected of you. A young girl whom you helped set free from Fidaig’s bondage.’
‘Aibell?’ Deogaire rose from his seat. ‘Is she here? Did she escape from the Valley of Ravens? Where is she?’
Fidelma raised a hand to calm him. ‘All in good time. You see, sunshine follows dark clouds. At least, Aibell sees you for what you are and not the person people think you are. You will see her later when this matter is sorted out.’
‘When will that be?’ he asked hopefully.
‘All I can say is that I hope it is not long. You have been used for a purpose, but I am not sure what. This is why you must remain here, because I think it is the one place that you will be safe.’
Back outside, after Enda had locked the door, she said quietly, ‘I want your most trusted warriors to guard the prisoner; trusted men to keep awake in this corridor all night as well as day.’
‘It shall be done, lady,’ Enda replied, a note of excitement in his voice. ‘Do you think that he will try to break out then? Try to escape?’
She shook her head with a soft smile. ‘Oh no, my friend. I think someone might try to break in — and kill him.’
Eadulf was regarding his companions in the firelight with a grim countenance. ‘I will have to carry out the amputation. At least I have seen it performed by a physician.’
‘What about your brother, friend Eadulf?’ demanded Gormán hesitantly. ‘Should we not try to find him first?’
‘Dego might well be dead before this night is out. He is our first priority. Besides, there is nothing we can do about Egric before first light. We can’t go hunting for him in darkness.’
Eadulf looked around. Near the fire was a rough wooden table at which the three religious no doubt prepared their food and took their meals.
‘Have you several lanterns?’ he demanded of Brother Berrihert. Receiving the affirmative, he pointed to the table. ‘I need you to wash that table down with water and hang the lanterns around it so that it is well illuminated.’
Berrihert and Pecanum immediately bent to their task. Eadulf then turned to Gormán and Aidan.
‘Your task will be distasteful, my friends. You will have to hold Dego down while I work on him.’